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=10. August 2015 - Institute of Vertebrate Biology, The Czech Academy of Sciences joins GGBN=
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=30 March 2020 GGBN Annual Newsletter now available=
  
[[File:UBO-logo-angl-color.gif|center|500px]]
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Please visit GGBN's [https://wiki.ggbn.org/ggbn/Newsletters Newsletters page].
  
We are pleased to announce that the Institute of Vertebrate Biology, The Czech Academy of Sciences has joined GGBN as our 35th member. Collections represent hundreds of thousands of DNAs and tissues representing about 50 species. For more information see the website.
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=23 March 2020 Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research makes collections discoverable=
  
=28. July 2015 - Launch beta-version new GGBN Data Portal=
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We are happy to announce that Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research in New Zealand has made [http://www.ggbn.org/ggbn_portal/stats/details?registry=NZAC%2C+Lincoln 8600 ethanol preserved specimens of New Zealand arthropods (primarily insects)] discoverable on GGBN adding 11 new families and 250 new genera to the data portal as part of the 2018 GGBN-GGI Awards Program.
  
We are happy to inform you, that the beta-version of the new GGBN Data Portal has been launched today at http://data.ggbn.org/ggbn_new. The start page will serve as the new entry point for http://www.ggbn.org.
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[[File:LCR logo.png|center|300px]]
  
 +
=12 March 2020 BioCASe webinar now available on GGBN's YouTube channel=
  
[[File:New portal.jpg|center|500px]]
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The March 11th [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuqTCM6FcJU DarwinCore Hour webinar on BioCASe] is now available through GGBN's YouTube channel.  GGBN is planning follow-up webinars on step-by-step installation, mapping and using BioCASe as well as ABCD3.
  
This work is part of a running DFG project at BGBM on expanding the existing DNA Bank Network infrastructure into GGBN. We have implemented the new GGBN Data Standard within Darwin Core and ABCD and use a new harvester tool. This harvester (HIT) was developed by GBIF and has been extended by several features within another project at BGBM and can now also be used for GGBN purposes. Therefore we now can handle DarwinCore-Archives in addition to ABCD. Smithsonian and BGBM did the test mappings with DwC-A .
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=02 March 2020 Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden makes genetic collections discoverable=
  
The next release information is planned for October 2015.
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We are happy to announce that the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden in Brazil has made more than 6,500 DNA and tissue samples of Brazilian plants discoverable through the GGBN data portal, adding approximately 250 new genera and 1,200 species to GGBN. [http://www.ggbn.org/ggbn_portal/stats/details?registry=JBRJ%2C+Rio+de+Janeiro Statistics] for Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden can be found on the GGBN website.
  
=15. July 2015 - Royal Museum for Central Africa joins GGBN=
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[[File:Jardin_Botanico_(RJ)_logo.png|center|200px]]
  
[[File:Africa ex EN.png|center|100px]]
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=24 February 2020 Darwin Core Hour on BioCASe Provider Software and ABCD: March 11, 2020 (16:00 CET)=
  
We are pleased to announce that the Royal Museum of Central Africa (RMCA) has joined GGBN as our 34th member. Collections include c. 6700 DNA and 56.000 tissue samples representing 3600 species. For more information about Royal Museum for Central Africa, please visit http://www.africamuseum.be/home
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On 11 March 2020 (16:00 CET) Jörg Holetschek (Botanic Garden Berlin) will talk about the BioCASe Provider Software and ABCD in the Darwin Core Hour, which is one option for GGBN members to publish data to GGBN. The webinar will be recorded and made available for those who can’t attend the live presentation. More information on this webinar can be found at https://www.idigbio.org/content/darwin-core-hour-biocase-provider-software-and-abcd-universal-approach-biodiversity
  
=16. June 2015 - Meetings: 2016 GGBN Conference=
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=21 February 2020 GGBN Conference postponed until March 2021=
  
Please join us for the 2016 GGBN International Conference on Biodiversity Biobanking, to be held at the andel’s Hotel from 21-24 June in Berlin, GermanyThe theme for this program will be Meeting the Challenge: How to Preserve a Cross-Section of the Tree of Life. Please see our Conference Flyer attached for your reference.  
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Due to the coronavirus situation in China and globally, the GGBN Executive Committee has decided to postpone the GGBN 2020 conference in Shenzhen until early March 2021.  Specific dates will follow soonThank you to everyone for your patience and understanding in this matter.  We look forward to a successful conference hosted by the China National GeneBank in 2021.
  
For more information, please visit our new meeting webpage at: http://meetings.ggbn.org/site/ggbn2016
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=18 February 2020 Odessa National Medical University joins GGBN=
  
The Conference Committee welcomes your ideas for sessions and speakersSuggestions for sessions and speakers can be submitted to ggbn@si.edu through July 14th 2015.
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We are happy to announce that the [https://onmedu.edu.ua/?lang=en Odessa National Medical University] has joined GGBN as its first member in UkraineSamples include plant DNAs and associated specimens.  
  
We look forward to seeing you next year in Berlin!
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[[File:ONMU_logo.jpg|center|200px]]
  
=03. June 2015 - Belgian Coordinated Collections of Micro-organisms joins GGBN=
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=10 February 2020 The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History joins GGBN=
  
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We are happy to announce that the [https://smnh.tau.ac.il/en/ Steinhardt Museum of Natural History] has joined GGBN as its first member in Israel.  SMNH houses thousands of DNA and tissue samples representing over a thousand species of vertebrates and invertebrates.
  
[[File:File:BCCMslogan.jpg|center|300px]]
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[[File:NM_LOGO.png|center|300px]]
  
We are pleased to announce that the Belgian Coordinated Collections of Micro-organisms (BCCM) has joined GGBN as an observer member. The BCCM collections hold together about 9.900 species (64.000 strains). DNA of these strains can be prepared on request. In addition 3.400 DNA samples representing about 760 microbial species are readily available. For more information about the Belgian Coordinated Collections of Micro-organisms (BCCM), please visit: http://bccm.belspo.be/
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=03 February 2020 National Institute of Research for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE) joins GGBN=
  
=15. May 2015 - Meetings: SPNHC 2015=
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We are happy to announce that France's new National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment [https://www.inrae.fr/index.php/en (INRAE)], has joined GGBN. Genetic collections include thousands of microorganisms, plants, vertebrates, and terrestrial invertebrates.  
  
[[File:SPNHC2015.png|center|300px]]
 
  
GGBN members will be participating in the SPNHC 2015 Conference, May 19-23.
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[[File:INRAE.jpg|center|300px]]
  
http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/spnhc2015/home/
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=14 January 2020 GGBN-GGI Awards Call for Proposals=
  
=05. May 2015 - Swedish Museum of Natural History joins GGBN=
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We are happy to announce the call for proposals for the GGBN-GGI 2020 Awards Program. The program provides funding for projects that support the discoverability of new genetic collections through the Global Genome Biodiversity Network's Data Portal. The next submission deadline for proposals will be 24 April 2020. The proposal review committee will consider requests for up to 30,000 USD with clearly articulated budget justifications. For more information on the GGBN-GGI awards program, including information on how to apply, please visit the [https://wiki.ggbn.org/ggbn/Global_Genome_Biodiversity_Network-Global_Genome_Initiative_Awards_Program Global Genome Biodiversity Network-Global Genome Initiative Awards, Program Page].
  
[[File:Nrm.gif|center|300px]]
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=08 January 2020 GGBN 2020 Conference: Abstracts for oral and poster presentations now accepted=
  
We are pleased to announce that the Swedish Museum of Natural History (NRM) has joined GGBN as an observer member. Collections represent several thousand species with approximately 10,000 DNA and 300,000 tissue samples. For more information about the Swedish Museum of Natural History (NRM), please visit: http://www.nrm.se/english.16_en.html
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The GGBN 2020 Conference [https://meetings.ggbn.org/conference/ggbn/ggbn2020/schedConf/cfp Call for Papers] is now open. Abstracts for oral and poster presentations will be accepted through April 1, 2020. The program committee is soliciting contributions that address the primary theme or other topics in biodiversity biobanking. Abstracts for oral and/or poster presentations may be submitted for the following session or symposium topics:
  
=31. April 2015 - Meetings: ISBER 2015=
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* Biodiversity Biobank Collections (from vertebrates to microbes)
 +
* Large Scale Genomic Initiatives and GGBN
 +
* Frontiers in biobanking collections: sampling and preservation
 +
* Culture Collections
 +
* Environmental specimens
 +
* Nagoya Protocol-where to next?
 +
* Crop wild relatives and medical plant diversity
 +
* Biodiversity Biobank Data and Analytics
 +
* Large-scale biobanks/Biobank Networks in Asia-Pacific
  
[[File:ISBER2015.png|center|300px]]
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Registration will be opening shortly. A breakdown of registration fees, along with other conference information can be found on the [https://meetings.ggbn.org/conference/ggbn/ggbn2020/ GGBN 2020 Conference page].
  
GGBN members will be participating in the ISBER 2015 Conference, May 5-9 2015.
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=06 January 2020 University of Kansas makes Ichthyology genetic collections discoverable with Specify 7=
  
http://www.isber.org/event/id/464123/ISBER-2015-Annual-Meeting--Exhibits---Phoenix.htm
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'''The KU ichthyology tissue collection'''
  
=18. April 2015 - Senckenberg Museum of Natural History Görlitz joins GGBN=
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[https://biodiversity.ku.edu/ The University of Kansas Biodiversity Institute] Ichthyology frozen tissue collection is housed in a state of the art cryogenic facility and has broad representation of both marine and freshwater fish diversity – over 11,200 individual tissue samples from 2,843 taxa (342 families and 1275 genera) and representing material from 85 countries (significant representation from the US, Australia, Belize, Ethiopia, Fiji, Nepal, Seychelles, South Africa, Taiwan, Tonga and more, as well as oceanic localities).  The collection is 95% georeferenced and has linkages to vouchered specimens as well as over 14,000 Genbank sequences (and vice versa through the NCBI LinkOut system) and over 550 cited publications. These samples are now accessible through the GGBN [http://www.ggbn.org/ggbn_portal/stats/details?registry=KU%2C+Lawrence data portal].
  
[[File:Logo_Senckenberg.JPG|center|300px]]
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 +
'''Specify 7'''
  
We are pleased to announce that the Senckenberg Museum of Natural History Görlitz (SMNG) has joined GGBN as our 30th member. Collections include 1860 DNA and 2200 tissue samples representing 249 species. For more information about Senckenberg Museum of Natural History Görlitz, please visit http://www.senckenberg.de/root/index.php?page_id=5257
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Specify 7 is a web implementation of the Specify Consortium biological collections data management platform. Specify 7 server code is open source and available from GitHub. This new generation of Specify combines the interface design components and data management foundation of Specify 6 with the efficiency and ease-of-use of web-based data access and cloud computing. Specify 7 is capable of exporting collections data in the Darwin Core Archive (DwCA) format. This capability expands on the existing Specify 6 functionality by supporting extensions to the core format (for GGBN, media and reference works amongst others) and also circumvents the IPT architecture currently used through Specify 6 data publishing. The Specify Consortium recently updated its data model to include all necessary fields to support GGBN publishing - https://www.sustain.specifysoftware.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Specify-Schema-Update-v2.4-Context.pdf. Find out more about Specify Collections Management Software here:  https://www.sustain.specifysoftware.org/.
  
=01. April 2015 - GGBN March 2015 Newsletter=
 
  
The GGBN March 2015 newsletter has been released today by the GGBN Communications & Outreach Task Force.
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[[File:KU logo.jpg|center|300px]] 
 +
[[File:Specify.png|center|300px]]
  
Task Force members and contributors to this newsletter include:
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=16 December 2019-GGBN 2020 Conference Travel Support Opportunities=
*Enrique Arbeláez Cortes, Alexander von Humboldt Institute/Colombia
 
*Katie Barke, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History/United States
 
*Carol Butler, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History/United States
 
*Dan Distel, Ocean Genome Legacy/United States
 
*Gabi Droege, Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin-Dahlem/Germany
 
*Chris Lyal, Natural History Museum London/United Kingdom
 
*Kakha Nadiradze, Association for Farmers Rights Defense/Georgia
 
*Ole Seber, Natural History Museum Copenhagen/Denmark
 
*Eva-Maria Sehr, Austrian Institute of Technology/Austria
 
*Charlotte Seid, Ocean Genome Legacy/United States
 
*Dustin Stonecipher, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History/United States
 
*Tina Tennessen, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History/United States
 
  
The newsletter is available at: http://ggbn.org/docs/GGBN_March2015_Newsletter_FINAL.pdf
+
GGBN is starting a travel support program in 2020 designed to assist members with the costs of attending the network’s meetings. While any GGBN member can apply, preference will be given to participants from upper middle income, lower middle income, and low-income countries, with additional consideration given to the value of the individual’s participation at the conference either for the member institution or for GGBN. The number of travel support recipients will be determined by the GGBN 2020 Conference organizing committee and be dependent on the number and quality of the applicants.  
  
=15. March 2015 - Denver Museum of Nature & Science joins GGBN=
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Those receiving travel support are required to make either an oral or poster presentation at the meeting and to be the first author on the presentation. Notification of support is contingent on the acceptance of the applicant’s abstract by the organizing committee.
  
[[File:Denver.jpg|center|300px]]
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All applicants will be notified by February 18, 2020. For those receiving travel support, directions will also be provided regarding how to book your travel. Please do not make any travel arrangements until receiving further instruction, as doing so may disqualify you from receiving support.
  
We are pleased to announce that The Denver Museum of Nature & Science has joined GGBN as an associate member. Collections represent 326 bird and mammal species with approximately 1,000 DNA and 15,000 tissue samples. For more information about The Denver Museum of Nature & Science, please visit: http://www.dmns.org/
+
Please submit the following to ggbn@si.edu no later than February 1 to complete your application:  
  
 +
*Completed application form
 +
*Copy of paper/poster abstract you intend to present
 +
*Letter of support/recommendation from senior professional, supervisor, mentor, department head, or director that knows your work (sent directly from the recommending individual to ggbn@si.edu)
 +
*In case your institution is already a GGBN member, then also a letter of support/recommendation from GGBN primary contact from your institution (also sent as a separate email to ggbn@si.edu) 
  
=10. February 2014 - Museum für Naturkunde joins the DNA Bank Network/GGBN=
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See the [https://library.ggbn.org/share/s/ENECv6iJSiGscYKkwzL1ZA GGBN 2020 Travel Grants Application Form] for more information.
  
[[File:Mfn.jpg|center|300px]]
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=31 October 2019-the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México joins GGBN=
  
The Museum für Naturkunde is a research museum within the Leibniz Association and one of the most significant research institutions worldwide in biological and geo-scientific evolution research and biodiversity. The museum holds more than 30 million items relating to zoology, palaeontology, geology and mineralogy, which are highly significant for science as well as for the history of science. Among the most spectacular pieces are the Berlin specimen of the primeval bird Archaeopteryx lithographica and the Jurassic dinosaurs from the Tendaguru excavation site. The extensive collections of the Museum are directly linked to research, which is particularly true for its rapidly growing DNA Bank with currently more than 40,000 DNA samples. We are currently working on making this collection available via the GGBN/DNA Bank Network's data portal.
+
We are proud to announce that the [https://www.unam.mx/ Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México] has joined GGBN as its second Mexican member. The [http://www.ib.unam.mx/ Instituto de Biologia, UNAM] houses thousands of DNA and tissue samples representing over one thousand species of microorganisms, plants, vertebrates, terrestrial invertebrates, and marine invertebrates.  
  
=24. January 2014 - Ocean Genome Legacy makes its genomic collection available via GGBN=
+
[[File:UNAM.png|center|300px]]
  
[[File:OGL_Logo_Color_2.jpg|center|300px]]
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=29 October 2019-Denver Museum of Nature and Science makes genetic collections discoverable=
 +
 
 +
We are proud to announce the fourth Arctos partner, the [https://www.dmns.org/ Denver Museum of Nature and Science] has made a subset of its [http://www.ggbn.org/ggbn_portal/stats/details?registry=DMNS%2C+Denver genetic collections] discoverable through GGBN as part of the 2017-2018 GGBN-GGI awards program. The collection adds more than 31,000 vertebrate tissue samples to GGBN, mainly representing birds, mammals, and associated parasites, adding 50 new species to GGBN’s online collections.
 +
 
 +
[[File:Denver.jpg|center|400px]]
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[[File:Arctos_logo.png|center|300px]]
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=15 October 2019-Museum of Vertebrate Zoology at Berkeley makes genetic collections discoverable=
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 +
We are proud to announce the third [https://arctos.database.museum/home.cfm Arctos] partner, the [http://mvz.berkeley.edu/ Museum of Vertebrate Zoology at Berkeley] has made a subset of its [http://www.ggbn.org/ggbn_portal/stats/details?registry=MVZ%2C+Berkeley genetic collections] discoverable through GGBN as part of the 2017-2018 [https://wiki.ggbn.org/ggbn/Global_Genome_Biodiversity_Network-Global_Genome_Initiative_Awards_Program GGBN-GGI awards program]. The collection adds more than 160,000 vertebrate tissue samples to GGBN representing 40 new families, 400 new genera and 500 new species.
 +
 +
[[File: MVZ Logo LargeFancy180.png|center|300px]]
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 +
[[File:Arctos_logo.png|center|300px]]
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 +
=09 October 2019-University of Alaska Museum of the North makes genetic collections discoverable=
 +
 
 +
We are proud to announce that the second [https://arctos.database.museum/home.cfm Arctos] partner, the [https://www.uaf.edu/museum/ University of Alaska Museum of the North] has made a subset of its [http://www.ggbn.org/ggbn_portal/stats/details?registry=UAM%2C+Fairbanks genetic collections] discoverable through GGBN as part of the 2017-2018 [https://wiki.ggbn.org/ggbn/Global_Genome_Biodiversity_Network-Global_Genome_Initiative_Awards_Program GGBN-GGI awards program]. The online collection includes more than 200,000 tissue samples representing mostly mammals and birds, in addition to other animals and plants.  The collection adds 100 new families, 100 new genera and 100 new species to the GGBN Data Portal.
 +
 
 +
More Arctos partners will be making their genetic collections discoverable in the upcoming weeks.
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 +
 
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[[File:MOTN .jpg|center|300px]]
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[[File:Arctos_logo.png|center|300px]]
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=02 October 2019-Museum of Southwestern Biology makes genetic collections discoverable=
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We are proud to announce that the first [https://arctos.database.museum/home.cfm Arctos] partner, the [http://www.msb.unm.edu/ Museum of Southwestern Biology], University of New Mexico/US has made a subset of its [http://www.ggbn.org/ggbn_portal/stats/details?registry=MSB%2C+Albuquerque genetic collections] discoverable through GGBN as part of the 2017-2018 [https://wiki.ggbn.org/ggbn/Global_Genome_Biodiversity_Network-Global_Genome_Initiative_Awards_Program GGBN-GGI awards program]. The online collection includes more than 580,000 vertebrate tissues representing mostly mammals and more than 200,000 associated specimen data. The collection adds 100 new families, 400 new genera and 1,000 species to the GGBN Data Portal.
 +
 
 +
More Arctos partners will be making their genetic collections discoverable in the upcoming weeks.
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 +
[[File:Roadrunner-logo-large.jpg|center|300px]]
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[[File:Arctos_logo.png|center|300px]]
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=13 September 2019-University of Torino joins GGBN=
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We are pleased to announce that the [https://en.unito.it/ University of Torino] has joined GGBN as part of the 2019 GGBN-GGI awards program. The collection comprises 2234 specimens representing approximately 120 families, 376 genera and 589 species of mainly Western Palearctic species. Genetic samples will be made discoverable through GGBN by September 2020.
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[[File:UnivTorino.png|center|300px]]
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=11 September 2019-GGBN 2020 Conference: At-a-glance agenda, session topics, invited speakers and travel logistics=
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 +
The GGBN 2020 [https://meetings.ggbn.org/conference/ggbn/ggbn2020/about/organizingTeam organizing committee] is happy to announce updates to the GGBN 2020 [https://meetings.ggbn.org/conference/ggbn/ggbn2020/index conference webpage] to include the at-a-glance agenda, theme and session topics, invited speakers, travel logistics and accommodations. Early bird registration and abstract submission will open November 1st.
 +
 
 +
=15 July 2019-Chicago Botanic Garden joins GGBN=
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We are pleased to announce that the [https://www.chicagobotanic.org/ Chicago Botanic Garden] has joined GGBN as part of the [https://ggi.si.edu/ggi-gardens GGI Gardens Program], an effort to enhance global plant collections by strategically collecting and preserving genome-quality samples representing global plant diversity. The Chicago Botanic Garden's collection comprises 13,286 samples representing approximately 5,000 plant species, a subset of which will be made discoverable through GGBN by August 2020.
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[[File:Cbg_logo_1.jpg|center|300px]]
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 +
=11 July 2019-GGBN 2020 Conference ''Widening GGBN’s Horizon – engaging new users and collections''=
 +
 
 +
 
 +
GGBN 2020, the 4th Conference of the Global Genome Biodiversity Network, will take place in Shenzhen, China from May 11-15. We are putting together an exciting program on topics surrounding the main theme of Widening GGBN’s Horizon – engaging new users and collections.
 +
 
 +
Sessions on the following topics are planned:
 +
*Regional Biobanks (Asia-Pacific)
 +
*Biodiversity Biobank Collections (from vertebrates to microbes)
 +
*Frontiers in Biobanking Collections: Sampling and Preservation
 +
*Biodiversity Biobank Data and Analytics
 +
*Culture Collections
 +
*Environmental Specimens
 +
*Crop Relatives and Medicinal Plant Diversity
 +
*Large Scale Genomic Initiatives and GGBN
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*Nagoya Protocol
 +
 
 +
Invited speakers will be announced on the GGBN website this fall. We invite participants to submit abstracts for oral and poster presentations through the GGBN 2020 Conference registration system starting in November 2019.
 +
 
 +
Organizing Committee:
 +
*Jonas Astrin, Zoological Research Museum-Koenig/Germany
 +
*Katie Barker, GGBN Secretariat, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian/US
 +
*Jason Chen, Beijing Genomics Institute, China National GeneBank/China
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*Manuela da Silva, FIOCRUZ/Brazil
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*Gabi Droege, GGBN Technical Secretariat, Berlin Botanic Garden/Germany
 +
*Meiliang Zhou, China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation/China
 +
*Sarah Tassell, Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research/New Zealand
 +
*Thai Pham, Vietnam National Museum of Nature/Vietnam
 +
 
 +
[[File:GGBN 2020 draft agenda .jpg|center|800px]]
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 +
=09 July 2019-Upcoming Regional Workshop in Tbilisi (November 4-7 2019)=
 +
 
 +
'''We are sorry to inform you due to unforeseeable circumstances we were unable to secure funding for the dates of November 4-7, but are actively working with different State organizations and donors within Georgia to secure funding for this workshop sometime next year.''' 
 +
 
 +
Workshop Title: New Horizons for Conserving and Restoring Biodiversity in Gene Banks and Regional Cooperation
 +
*Location: Tbilisi, Georgia
 +
*Host: The Association for Farmers Rights Defense, AFRD
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 +
The Workshop will provide a platform for discussion on the following key themes:
 +
* Recent country experience and efforts on mainstreaming biodiversity conservation, ex-situ, in situ into Gene Bank development
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* Approaches and partnerships to mainstream National Gene Bank cooperation at Post Soviet and Eastern European, Central European sectoral levels
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* Insights, challenges, and opportunities to manage for better results harmonizing GGBN Methodologies, Measurements, and Taxonomy Data
 +
 
 +
Program:
 +
*Day 1, 04.11.2019 Plenary session
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*Day 2, 05.11.2019 Working Groups
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*Day 3, 06.11.2019 Working Groups
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*Day 4, 07.11.2019 Excursions
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 +
 
 +
Outcomes:
 +
The workshop is expected to guide the development of the International Initiative for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity's modern conservation methods and the cooperation and networking of Gene Banks.
 +
The results of the workshop should be disseminated and taken up and promoted by concerned stakeholders in such a way that they are ultimately reflected in the Genetic Resource management practices for both developed and developing countries. The overall aim is to help improve the cooperation of scientific and research communities and achieve truly sustainable use of Genetic Resources that is environmentally sound and economically viable.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
Please contact Dr. Kakha Nadiradze (nadiradzekakha@gmail.com) and GGBN (GGBN@si.edu) by July 20th to express your interest in participating.
 +
 
 +
=08 July 2019-University of Karachi joins GGBN=
 +
We are pleased to announce that the [http://www.uok.edu.pk/research_institutes/cpc/index.php University of Karachi, Center for Plant Conservation] has joined GGBN as part of the GGBN-GGI 2019 Awards Program. The awarded project will publish 1,000 samples from across Pakistan representing a diversity of biotic communities and relatively rich flora.
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[[File:Karachi_University_logo.png|center|200px]]
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=01 July 2019-Job Advertisement-Cell Culture Specialist-Zoological Research Museum A. Koenig=
 +
The Biobank at Zoological Research Museum A. Koenig in Bonn, Germany, is looking for a full-time cell culture specialist. The position can be filled immediately and is funded for three years within the project "Forensic Genetics for Species Protection", aimed at protecting endangered animals. Tasks include:
 +
*Establishing cell cultures and cryopreservation
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*Developing methods and coordination of lab workflows, especially for cell culture; data analyses
 +
*Management of the cell culture lab; responsible for instruments
 +
*Handling biobank samples (incl. DNA, tissue): documentation, databasing, preparation, preservation
 +
*Sample acquisition & research: international correspondence on samples; organizing logistics
 +
*Supervision of research assistants, students, and interns
 +
Your profile:
 +
*Extensive, documented hands-on experience in the cell culture lab (ideally, but not necessarily with animals)
 +
*Finished vocational training or university degree in life sciences
 +
*Capacity to organize and manage molecular infrastructures and projects
 +
*Good IT skills (esp. with spreadsheets, database knowledge)
 +
*Fair knowledge of the English language for international correspondence etc.
 +
*High interpersonal skills; most meticulous and responsible, proactive way of working; competent at problem-solving
 +
 
 +
ZFMK offers a highly motivating environment at a renowned and pioneering research facility and the possibility to work independently. Salary and benefits are according to a public service position in Germany, TV-L E 9.
 +
 
 +
Equally qualified severely disabled applicants will be given preference.
 +
 
 +
Please send your application by e-mail attachment, including a detailed CV, until July 19, 2019 to Mrs. Heike Lenz: h.lenz@leibniz-zfmk.de. In case of questions concerning the position please contact Jonas Astrin: j.astrin@leibniz-zfmk.de, tel. +49-228-9122 357.
 +
 
 +
For more information about ZFMK see http://www.leibniz-zfmk.de/en
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=18 June 2019-The University of California, CALeDNA Program joins GGBN=
 +
We are proud to announce that the University of California, [http://www.ucedna.com/ CALeDNA Program] has joined GGBN. As part of the GGBN-GGI 2019 awards program, the project will develop pipelines for e-DNA collections to GGBN and GBIF, acting as a prototype model for other e-DNA collections and will work with GGBN to demonstrate best practices for e-DNA curation.  Approximately 1,000 soil, sediment and water samples representing 18,000 species will be added to GGBN.
 +
 
 +
[[File:Sticker Design 2019 v4.png|center|400px]]
 +
 
 +
=10 June 2019-Job Advertisement-Director of Biodiversity Banking - Institute for Conservation Research=
 +
The Institute for Conservation Research has recently posted a job opening for a [https://usr56.dayforcehcm.com/CandidatePortal/en-US/sdzg/Posting/View/422 Director of Biodiversity Banking]. The deadline for applications is Sunday, June 30, 2019.
 +
 
 +
=3 June 2019-GGBN-GGI Awards Program 2019 Recipients=
 +
 
 +
We are happy to announce the results of the GGBN-GGI 2019 Awards Program. A total of seven highly competitive proposals representing member and non-member institutions across four countries were received and ranked by a peer review committee representative of GGBN membership.  The panel ranked the proposals on the following metrics: complementarity to existing collections on GGBN; the size, scope, and quality of the collection; the genomic novelty of the collections; adherence to GGBN best practices; the efficiency or cost-effectiveness of the proposal; contribution to the GGBN community; and the timeline for completion. The total funding requested was nearly 190,000 USD, and a little over 95,000 was awarded. Awardees will be contributing new genetic samples to the GGBN data portal by September 2020.
 +
 
 +
GGBN-GGI 2019 Awardees include:
 +
*Centro de Ornitología y Biodiversidad (CORBIDI)/Peru
 +
*Missouri Botanical Garden/USA
 +
*University of California, Los Angeles, UC Conversation Genomics Consortium/USA
 +
*University of Karachi, Centre for Plant Conservation/Pakistan
 +
*University of Torino, Dipartimento de Scienze della Terra/Italy
 +
 
 +
 
 +
The titles and abstracts of these proposals can be found on the GGBN [https://wiki.ggbn.org/ggbn/Global_Genome_Biodiversity_Network-Global_Genome_Initiative_Awards_Program awards program page], along with general award program information.
 +
 
 +
Congratulations everyone!
 +
 
 +
=28 May 2019 Call for Conference Host: GGBN 2022=
 +
GGBN’s Executive Committee is seeking a host organization for the 2022 conference.  GGBN conferences are an opportunity to exchange knowledge on biodiversity biobanking, grow the community and facilitate best practices in genetic collections management and discoverability. 
 +
 
 +
Emerging as a world leader in genetic collections databasing, the Global Genome Biodiversity Network (GGBN) is an international scientific research network of biodiversity biobanks that collaborate to ensure the long-term preservation and discoverability of genetic samples from all life. GGBN advocates for the value of genetic samples, both today and into the future, and addresses key challenges associated with the management and use of these important resources. Together, GGBN’s member institutions promote access to information about, and legal exchange of, the genetic samples that they maintain.  Our strategic areas include genomic sample management and discoverability, best practices for genetic collections, knowledge exchange and training, and communications and outreach.  So far GGBN conferences have taken place in London, England; Berlin, Germany; Vienna, Austria and Shenzhen, China and we are always looking forward to expanding to new continents, countries, and cities.
 +
 
 +
The hosting location should have good travel connections and be able to host 100-150 participants. The local organizer is responsible for the facilities and the execution of the conference and conference budget. The organizer also has to secure sufficient funding (the Organizing Committee can offer their assistance in seeking grants and soliciting vendors). Conference dates will be determined in cooperation between the Organizing Committee and the local organizers.
 +
 
 +
Proposals to host the GGBN 2022 conference should include:
 +
*Motivation. Describe your motivation and highlight the benefits.
 +
*Budget. No real detail of the budget is required at this stage, however, the approach to hosting the conference and the resultant budgetary implications are required.
 +
*Conference hosting options to include the possible venue/s, accommodations, meals, activities, and transportation options.
 +
*Key attributes of the location and potential venues. Bullet points describing the advantages of the location and potential activities for attendees.
 +
*Date options for the conference.
 +
*Primary contact name and contact information.Preliminary list of names of members of the local organizing committee and their responsibilities.
 +
 
 +
Interested parties should submit their proposals to host the 2022 conference no later than December 1, 2019.  Proposals will be reviewed by the Executive Committee and the 2022 host will be announced at the 2020 conference in Shenzhen, China.
 +
 
 +
[https://meetings.ggbn.org/conference/ggbn/2018/schedConf/program The Conference Program]from GGBN's 2018 conference is available as a reference.
 +
 
 +
=23 May 2019 GGBN 2020 Conference May 11-15=
 +
It is our pleasure to announce that GGBN 2020, the 4th Conference of the Global Genome Biodiversity Network, will take place in Shenzhen China, May 11-15, hosted by the [https://www.cngb.org/home.html China National GeneBank]. We hope that you can join us!
 +
 
 +
[[File:CNGB_Introduction2.jpg|center|600px]]
 +
 
 +
=23 April 2019-Kostrzyca Forest Gene Bank joins GGBN=
 +
We are proud to announce that the [https://www.lasy.gov.pl/en Kostrzyca Forest Gene Bank] has joined GGBN as its first Polish member.  The genetic collection comprises 11,525 plant and 52 animal tissues, 8,497 plant and 14 animal DNAs and 20,000-50,000 specimens representing 163 plant and 2 animal species.  Samples are stored in cold rooms (-3, -10, -20C), Freezers (-80C) and cryogenic containers (vapors of liquid nitrogen).
 +
 
 +
[[File:Logo_Kostrzyca.jpg|center|400px]]
 +
 
 +
=19 April 2019-GGBN-GGI Awards Due May 1=
 +
Thinking your genetic collections should be more visible for research?  Do you require staff or other resources to make this happen? If so, then apply to the GGBN-GGI 2019 awards program.  Deadline for proposals is May 1st. See https://wiki.ggbn.org/ggbn/Global_Genome_Biodiversity_Network-Global_Genome_Initiative_Awards_Program
 +
 
 +
=12 April 2019-GGBN Focus Group Meeting, Washington DC=
 +
 
 +
GGBN members met this week at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington DC to 1) discuss GGBN's dues model and possible changes based on needs of the network and 2) to develop a marketing strategy to facilitate better communication with the research and collections communities. Member participants attended from Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Ecuador, Georgia, Germany, United Kingdom, United States. A report will be developed over the next few weeks and distributed to the Executive Committee and the 88 members of the General Assembly for review and comment this summer.
 +
 
 +
Thanks to everyone who participated this week!
 +
[[File:April2019FGMeeting.jpg|center|500px]]
 +
 
 +
=02 April 2019-GGBN March 2019 Newsletter Published=
 +
GGBN's [https://library.ggbn.org/share/s/R9H3V8IXSDqiTk1ZS6G89Q March 2019 Newsletter] is now available for your reading pleasure.
 +
[[File:GGBN2019Newsletter.png|center|300px]]
 +
 
 +
=18 March 2019-Botanical Research Institute of Texas joins GGBN=
 +
 +
We are proud to announce that the [https://www.brit.org/ Botanical Research Institute of Texas] has joined GGBN as its 22nd United States member.  BRIT's biorepository opened in January of 2019 and will help lead the [https://ggi.si.edu/ggi-gardens Global Genome Initiative Gardens collecting program], which partners with arboreta, botanic gardens, and greenhouses worldwide to preserve the incredible diversity contained within these living collections.
 +
[[File:BRITlogo.png|center|300px]]
 +
 
 +
=01 March 2019-National Biodiversity Cryobank of Canada, Canadian Museum of Nature joins GGBN=
 +
 
 +
We are proud to announce that the [https://nature.ca/en/research-collections/collections/cryobank National Biodiversity Cryobank of Canada], Canadian Museum of Nature, has joined GGBN as its 3rd Canadian member. The genetic collection includes 4,500 DNA and 30,000 tissue samples representing microorganisms, plants, vertebrates, terrestrial invertebrates and marine invertebrates.
 +
 
 +
[[File:CMN.png|center|300px]]
 +
 
 +
=06 February 2019-GGBN-GGI Awards Program 2019 Call for Proposals=
 +
We are happy to announce the call for proposals for the GGBN-GGI 2019 Awards Program. The program provides funding for projects that support the discoverability of new genetic collections through the Global Genome Biodiversity Network's Data Portal. The next submission deadline for proposals will be May 1 2019. The proposal review committee will consider requests for up to 30,000 USD with clearly articulated budget justifications. For more information on the GGBN-GGI awards program, including information on how to apply, please visit [https://wiki.ggbn.org/ggbn/Global_Genome_Biodiversity_Network-Global_Genome_Initiative_Awards_Program the Global Genome Biodiversity Network-Global Genome Initiative Awards Program Page].
 +
 
 +
=22 January 2019-Dr. Cecilia Koo Botanic Conservation Center joins GGBN=
 +
We are proud to announce that the [http://www.kbcc.org.tw/tw/ Dr. Cecilia Koo Botanic Conservation Center] has joined GGBN.  The genetic collection includes 16,890 tissues and 3,609 DNAs of plants.
 +
 
 +
[[File:Kbcclogo.jpg|center|500px]]
  
Ocean Genome Legacy (OGL) announces that a portion of its marine genomic collection of DNA and tissue from more than 20,000 specimens collected from across the world are now accessible via the Global Genome Biodiversity Network’s Data Portal! OGL’s mission is to acquire, a uthenticate, study, preserve, develop, and distribute genetic materials, biological specimens, information, technology, and standards needed to advance basic and applied non-commercial research. By providing secure storage and broad public access to genomic materials and a forum for sharing samples, data, and ideas, the Ocean Genome Resource collection aims to serve as a catalyst for research that can help to protect marine ecosystems and improve the human condition. More vouchered DNA samples will be added to the online portal soon following this successful test case by using BioCASe and ABCDDNA.
 
  
 
=News Archive=
 
=News Archive=
  
 
Older news can be found in the GGBN [[News Archive]].
 
Older news can be found in the GGBN [[News Archive]].

Revision as of 20:13, 30 March 2020

Contents

30 March 2020 GGBN Annual Newsletter now available

Please visit GGBN's Newsletters page.

23 March 2020 Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research makes collections discoverable

We are happy to announce that Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research in New Zealand has made 8600 ethanol preserved specimens of New Zealand arthropods (primarily insects) discoverable on GGBN adding 11 new families and 250 new genera to the data portal as part of the 2018 GGBN-GGI Awards Program.

LCR logo.png

12 March 2020 BioCASe webinar now available on GGBN's YouTube channel

The March 11th DarwinCore Hour webinar on BioCASe is now available through GGBN's YouTube channel. GGBN is planning follow-up webinars on step-by-step installation, mapping and using BioCASe as well as ABCD3.

02 March 2020 Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden makes genetic collections discoverable

We are happy to announce that the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden in Brazil has made more than 6,500 DNA and tissue samples of Brazilian plants discoverable through the GGBN data portal, adding approximately 250 new genera and 1,200 species to GGBN. Statistics for Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden can be found on the GGBN website.

Jardin Botanico (RJ) logo.png

24 February 2020 Darwin Core Hour on BioCASe Provider Software and ABCD: March 11, 2020 (16:00 CET)

On 11 March 2020 (16:00 CET) Jörg Holetschek (Botanic Garden Berlin) will talk about the BioCASe Provider Software and ABCD in the Darwin Core Hour, which is one option for GGBN members to publish data to GGBN. The webinar will be recorded and made available for those who can’t attend the live presentation. More information on this webinar can be found at https://www.idigbio.org/content/darwin-core-hour-biocase-provider-software-and-abcd-universal-approach-biodiversity

21 February 2020 GGBN Conference postponed until March 2021

Due to the coronavirus situation in China and globally, the GGBN Executive Committee has decided to postpone the GGBN 2020 conference in Shenzhen until early March 2021. Specific dates will follow soon. Thank you to everyone for your patience and understanding in this matter. We look forward to a successful conference hosted by the China National GeneBank in 2021.

18 February 2020 Odessa National Medical University joins GGBN

We are happy to announce that the Odessa National Medical University has joined GGBN as its first member in Ukraine. Samples include plant DNAs and associated specimens.

ONMU logo.jpg

10 February 2020 The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History joins GGBN

We are happy to announce that the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History has joined GGBN as its first member in Israel. SMNH houses thousands of DNA and tissue samples representing over a thousand species of vertebrates and invertebrates.

NM LOGO.png

03 February 2020 National Institute of Research for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE) joins GGBN

We are happy to announce that France's new National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE), has joined GGBN. Genetic collections include thousands of microorganisms, plants, vertebrates, and terrestrial invertebrates.


INRAE.jpg

14 January 2020 GGBN-GGI Awards Call for Proposals

We are happy to announce the call for proposals for the GGBN-GGI 2020 Awards Program. The program provides funding for projects that support the discoverability of new genetic collections through the Global Genome Biodiversity Network's Data Portal. The next submission deadline for proposals will be 24 April 2020. The proposal review committee will consider requests for up to 30,000 USD with clearly articulated budget justifications. For more information on the GGBN-GGI awards program, including information on how to apply, please visit the Global Genome Biodiversity Network-Global Genome Initiative Awards, Program Page.

08 January 2020 GGBN 2020 Conference: Abstracts for oral and poster presentations now accepted

The GGBN 2020 Conference Call for Papers is now open. Abstracts for oral and poster presentations will be accepted through April 1, 2020. The program committee is soliciting contributions that address the primary theme or other topics in biodiversity biobanking. Abstracts for oral and/or poster presentations may be submitted for the following session or symposium topics:

  • Biodiversity Biobank Collections (from vertebrates to microbes)
  • Large Scale Genomic Initiatives and GGBN
  • Frontiers in biobanking collections: sampling and preservation
  • Culture Collections
  • Environmental specimens
  • Nagoya Protocol-where to next?
  • Crop wild relatives and medical plant diversity
  • Biodiversity Biobank Data and Analytics
  • Large-scale biobanks/Biobank Networks in Asia-Pacific

Registration will be opening shortly. A breakdown of registration fees, along with other conference information can be found on the GGBN 2020 Conference page.

06 January 2020 University of Kansas makes Ichthyology genetic collections discoverable with Specify 7

The KU ichthyology tissue collection

The University of Kansas Biodiversity Institute Ichthyology frozen tissue collection is housed in a state of the art cryogenic facility and has broad representation of both marine and freshwater fish diversity – over 11,200 individual tissue samples from 2,843 taxa (342 families and 1275 genera) and representing material from 85 countries (significant representation from the US, Australia, Belize, Ethiopia, Fiji, Nepal, Seychelles, South Africa, Taiwan, Tonga and more, as well as oceanic localities). The collection is 95% georeferenced and has linkages to vouchered specimens as well as over 14,000 Genbank sequences (and vice versa through the NCBI LinkOut system) and over 550 cited publications. These samples are now accessible through the GGBN data portal.


Specify 7

Specify 7 is a web implementation of the Specify Consortium biological collections data management platform. Specify 7 server code is open source and available from GitHub. This new generation of Specify combines the interface design components and data management foundation of Specify 6 with the efficiency and ease-of-use of web-based data access and cloud computing. Specify 7 is capable of exporting collections data in the Darwin Core Archive (DwCA) format. This capability expands on the existing Specify 6 functionality by supporting extensions to the core format (for GGBN, media and reference works amongst others) and also circumvents the IPT architecture currently used through Specify 6 data publishing. The Specify Consortium recently updated its data model to include all necessary fields to support GGBN publishing - https://www.sustain.specifysoftware.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Specify-Schema-Update-v2.4-Context.pdf. Find out more about Specify Collections Management Software here: https://www.sustain.specifysoftware.org/.


KU logo.jpg
Specify.png

16 December 2019-GGBN 2020 Conference Travel Support Opportunities

GGBN is starting a travel support program in 2020 designed to assist members with the costs of attending the network’s meetings. While any GGBN member can apply, preference will be given to participants from upper middle income, lower middle income, and low-income countries, with additional consideration given to the value of the individual’s participation at the conference either for the member institution or for GGBN. The number of travel support recipients will be determined by the GGBN 2020 Conference organizing committee and be dependent on the number and quality of the applicants.

Those receiving travel support are required to make either an oral or poster presentation at the meeting and to be the first author on the presentation. Notification of support is contingent on the acceptance of the applicant’s abstract by the organizing committee.

All applicants will be notified by February 18, 2020. For those receiving travel support, directions will also be provided regarding how to book your travel. Please do not make any travel arrangements until receiving further instruction, as doing so may disqualify you from receiving support.

Please submit the following to ggbn@si.edu no later than February 1 to complete your application:

  • Completed application form
  • Copy of paper/poster abstract you intend to present
  • Letter of support/recommendation from senior professional, supervisor, mentor, department head, or director that knows your work (sent directly from the recommending individual to ggbn@si.edu)
  • In case your institution is already a GGBN member, then also a letter of support/recommendation from GGBN primary contact from your institution (also sent as a separate email to ggbn@si.edu)

See the GGBN 2020 Travel Grants Application Form for more information.

31 October 2019-the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México joins GGBN

We are proud to announce that the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México has joined GGBN as its second Mexican member. The Instituto de Biologia, UNAM houses thousands of DNA and tissue samples representing over one thousand species of microorganisms, plants, vertebrates, terrestrial invertebrates, and marine invertebrates.

UNAM.png

29 October 2019-Denver Museum of Nature and Science makes genetic collections discoverable

We are proud to announce the fourth Arctos partner, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science has made a subset of its genetic collections discoverable through GGBN as part of the 2017-2018 GGBN-GGI awards program. The collection adds more than 31,000 vertebrate tissue samples to GGBN, mainly representing birds, mammals, and associated parasites, adding 50 new species to GGBN’s online collections.

Denver.jpg
Arctos logo.png

15 October 2019-Museum of Vertebrate Zoology at Berkeley makes genetic collections discoverable

We are proud to announce the third Arctos partner, the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology at Berkeley has made a subset of its genetic collections discoverable through GGBN as part of the 2017-2018 GGBN-GGI awards program. The collection adds more than 160,000 vertebrate tissue samples to GGBN representing 40 new families, 400 new genera and 500 new species.

MVZ Logo LargeFancy180.png
Arctos logo.png

09 October 2019-University of Alaska Museum of the North makes genetic collections discoverable

We are proud to announce that the second Arctos partner, the University of Alaska Museum of the North has made a subset of its genetic collections discoverable through GGBN as part of the 2017-2018 GGBN-GGI awards program. The online collection includes more than 200,000 tissue samples representing mostly mammals and birds, in addition to other animals and plants. The collection adds 100 new families, 100 new genera and 100 new species to the GGBN Data Portal.

More Arctos partners will be making their genetic collections discoverable in the upcoming weeks.


MOTN .jpg
Arctos logo.png

02 October 2019-Museum of Southwestern Biology makes genetic collections discoverable

We are proud to announce that the first Arctos partner, the Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico/US has made a subset of its genetic collections discoverable through GGBN as part of the 2017-2018 GGBN-GGI awards program. The online collection includes more than 580,000 vertebrate tissues representing mostly mammals and more than 200,000 associated specimen data. The collection adds 100 new families, 400 new genera and 1,000 species to the GGBN Data Portal.

More Arctos partners will be making their genetic collections discoverable in the upcoming weeks.

Roadrunner-logo-large.jpg
Arctos logo.png

13 September 2019-University of Torino joins GGBN

We are pleased to announce that the University of Torino has joined GGBN as part of the 2019 GGBN-GGI awards program. The collection comprises 2234 specimens representing approximately 120 families, 376 genera and 589 species of mainly Western Palearctic species. Genetic samples will be made discoverable through GGBN by September 2020.

UnivTorino.png

11 September 2019-GGBN 2020 Conference: At-a-glance agenda, session topics, invited speakers and travel logistics

The GGBN 2020 organizing committee is happy to announce updates to the GGBN 2020 conference webpage to include the at-a-glance agenda, theme and session topics, invited speakers, travel logistics and accommodations. Early bird registration and abstract submission will open November 1st.

15 July 2019-Chicago Botanic Garden joins GGBN

We are pleased to announce that the Chicago Botanic Garden has joined GGBN as part of the GGI Gardens Program, an effort to enhance global plant collections by strategically collecting and preserving genome-quality samples representing global plant diversity. The Chicago Botanic Garden's collection comprises 13,286 samples representing approximately 5,000 plant species, a subset of which will be made discoverable through GGBN by August 2020.


Cbg logo 1.jpg

11 July 2019-GGBN 2020 Conference Widening GGBN’s Horizon – engaging new users and collections

GGBN 2020, the 4th Conference of the Global Genome Biodiversity Network, will take place in Shenzhen, China from May 11-15. We are putting together an exciting program on topics surrounding the main theme of Widening GGBN’s Horizon – engaging new users and collections.

Sessions on the following topics are planned:

  • Regional Biobanks (Asia-Pacific)
  • Biodiversity Biobank Collections (from vertebrates to microbes)
  • Frontiers in Biobanking Collections: Sampling and Preservation
  • Biodiversity Biobank Data and Analytics
  • Culture Collections
  • Environmental Specimens
  • Crop Relatives and Medicinal Plant Diversity
  • Large Scale Genomic Initiatives and GGBN
  • Nagoya Protocol

Invited speakers will be announced on the GGBN website this fall. We invite participants to submit abstracts for oral and poster presentations through the GGBN 2020 Conference registration system starting in November 2019.

Organizing Committee:

  • Jonas Astrin, Zoological Research Museum-Koenig/Germany
  • Katie Barker, GGBN Secretariat, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian/US
  • Jason Chen, Beijing Genomics Institute, China National GeneBank/China
  • Manuela da Silva, FIOCRUZ/Brazil
  • Gabi Droege, GGBN Technical Secretariat, Berlin Botanic Garden/Germany
  • Meiliang Zhou, China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation/China
  • Sarah Tassell, Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research/New Zealand
  • Thai Pham, Vietnam National Museum of Nature/Vietnam
GGBN 2020 draft agenda .jpg

09 July 2019-Upcoming Regional Workshop in Tbilisi (November 4-7 2019)

We are sorry to inform you due to unforeseeable circumstances we were unable to secure funding for the dates of November 4-7, but are actively working with different State organizations and donors within Georgia to secure funding for this workshop sometime next year.

Workshop Title: New Horizons for Conserving and Restoring Biodiversity in Gene Banks and Regional Cooperation

  • Location: Tbilisi, Georgia
  • Host: The Association for Farmers Rights Defense, AFRD

The Workshop will provide a platform for discussion on the following key themes:

  • Recent country experience and efforts on mainstreaming biodiversity conservation, ex-situ, in situ into Gene Bank development
  • Approaches and partnerships to mainstream National Gene Bank cooperation at Post Soviet and Eastern European, Central European sectoral levels
  • Insights, challenges, and opportunities to manage for better results harmonizing GGBN Methodologies, Measurements, and Taxonomy Data

Program:

  • Day 1, 04.11.2019 Plenary session
  • Day 2, 05.11.2019 Working Groups
  • Day 3, 06.11.2019 Working Groups
  • Day 4, 07.11.2019 Excursions


Outcomes: The workshop is expected to guide the development of the International Initiative for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity's modern conservation methods and the cooperation and networking of Gene Banks. The results of the workshop should be disseminated and taken up and promoted by concerned stakeholders in such a way that they are ultimately reflected in the Genetic Resource management practices for both developed and developing countries. The overall aim is to help improve the cooperation of scientific and research communities and achieve truly sustainable use of Genetic Resources that is environmentally sound and economically viable.


Please contact Dr. Kakha Nadiradze (nadiradzekakha@gmail.com) and GGBN (GGBN@si.edu) by July 20th to express your interest in participating.

08 July 2019-University of Karachi joins GGBN

We are pleased to announce that the University of Karachi, Center for Plant Conservation has joined GGBN as part of the GGBN-GGI 2019 Awards Program. The awarded project will publish 1,000 samples from across Pakistan representing a diversity of biotic communities and relatively rich flora.

Karachi University logo.png

01 July 2019-Job Advertisement-Cell Culture Specialist-Zoological Research Museum A. Koenig

The Biobank at Zoological Research Museum A. Koenig in Bonn, Germany, is looking for a full-time cell culture specialist. The position can be filled immediately and is funded for three years within the project "Forensic Genetics for Species Protection", aimed at protecting endangered animals. Tasks include:

  • Establishing cell cultures and cryopreservation
  • Developing methods and coordination of lab workflows, especially for cell culture; data analyses
  • Management of the cell culture lab; responsible for instruments
  • Handling biobank samples (incl. DNA, tissue): documentation, databasing, preparation, preservation
  • Sample acquisition & research: international correspondence on samples; organizing logistics
  • Supervision of research assistants, students, and interns

Your profile:

  • Extensive, documented hands-on experience in the cell culture lab (ideally, but not necessarily with animals)
  • Finished vocational training or university degree in life sciences
  • Capacity to organize and manage molecular infrastructures and projects
  • Good IT skills (esp. with spreadsheets, database knowledge)
  • Fair knowledge of the English language for international correspondence etc.
  • High interpersonal skills; most meticulous and responsible, proactive way of working; competent at problem-solving

ZFMK offers a highly motivating environment at a renowned and pioneering research facility and the possibility to work independently. Salary and benefits are according to a public service position in Germany, TV-L E 9.

Equally qualified severely disabled applicants will be given preference.

Please send your application by e-mail attachment, including a detailed CV, until July 19, 2019 to Mrs. Heike Lenz: h.lenz@leibniz-zfmk.de. In case of questions concerning the position please contact Jonas Astrin: j.astrin@leibniz-zfmk.de, tel. +49-228-9122 357.

For more information about ZFMK see http://www.leibniz-zfmk.de/en

18 June 2019-The University of California, CALeDNA Program joins GGBN

We are proud to announce that the University of California, CALeDNA Program has joined GGBN. As part of the GGBN-GGI 2019 awards program, the project will develop pipelines for e-DNA collections to GGBN and GBIF, acting as a prototype model for other e-DNA collections and will work with GGBN to demonstrate best practices for e-DNA curation. Approximately 1,000 soil, sediment and water samples representing 18,000 species will be added to GGBN.

Sticker Design 2019 v4.png

10 June 2019-Job Advertisement-Director of Biodiversity Banking - Institute for Conservation Research

The Institute for Conservation Research has recently posted a job opening for a Director of Biodiversity Banking. The deadline for applications is Sunday, June 30, 2019.

3 June 2019-GGBN-GGI Awards Program 2019 Recipients

We are happy to announce the results of the GGBN-GGI 2019 Awards Program. A total of seven highly competitive proposals representing member and non-member institutions across four countries were received and ranked by a peer review committee representative of GGBN membership. The panel ranked the proposals on the following metrics: complementarity to existing collections on GGBN; the size, scope, and quality of the collection; the genomic novelty of the collections; adherence to GGBN best practices; the efficiency or cost-effectiveness of the proposal; contribution to the GGBN community; and the timeline for completion. The total funding requested was nearly 190,000 USD, and a little over 95,000 was awarded. Awardees will be contributing new genetic samples to the GGBN data portal by September 2020.

GGBN-GGI 2019 Awardees include:

  • Centro de Ornitología y Biodiversidad (CORBIDI)/Peru
  • Missouri Botanical Garden/USA
  • University of California, Los Angeles, UC Conversation Genomics Consortium/USA
  • University of Karachi, Centre for Plant Conservation/Pakistan
  • University of Torino, Dipartimento de Scienze della Terra/Italy


The titles and abstracts of these proposals can be found on the GGBN awards program page, along with general award program information.

Congratulations everyone!

28 May 2019 Call for Conference Host: GGBN 2022

GGBN’s Executive Committee is seeking a host organization for the 2022 conference. GGBN conferences are an opportunity to exchange knowledge on biodiversity biobanking, grow the community and facilitate best practices in genetic collections management and discoverability.

Emerging as a world leader in genetic collections databasing, the Global Genome Biodiversity Network (GGBN) is an international scientific research network of biodiversity biobanks that collaborate to ensure the long-term preservation and discoverability of genetic samples from all life. GGBN advocates for the value of genetic samples, both today and into the future, and addresses key challenges associated with the management and use of these important resources. Together, GGBN’s member institutions promote access to information about, and legal exchange of, the genetic samples that they maintain. Our strategic areas include genomic sample management and discoverability, best practices for genetic collections, knowledge exchange and training, and communications and outreach. So far GGBN conferences have taken place in London, England; Berlin, Germany; Vienna, Austria and Shenzhen, China and we are always looking forward to expanding to new continents, countries, and cities.

The hosting location should have good travel connections and be able to host 100-150 participants. The local organizer is responsible for the facilities and the execution of the conference and conference budget. The organizer also has to secure sufficient funding (the Organizing Committee can offer their assistance in seeking grants and soliciting vendors). Conference dates will be determined in cooperation between the Organizing Committee and the local organizers.

Proposals to host the GGBN 2022 conference should include:

  • Motivation. Describe your motivation and highlight the benefits.
  • Budget. No real detail of the budget is required at this stage, however, the approach to hosting the conference and the resultant budgetary implications are required.
  • Conference hosting options to include the possible venue/s, accommodations, meals, activities, and transportation options.
  • Key attributes of the location and potential venues. Bullet points describing the advantages of the location and potential activities for attendees.
  • Date options for the conference.
  • Primary contact name and contact information.Preliminary list of names of members of the local organizing committee and their responsibilities.

Interested parties should submit their proposals to host the 2022 conference no later than December 1, 2019. Proposals will be reviewed by the Executive Committee and the 2022 host will be announced at the 2020 conference in Shenzhen, China.

The Conference Programfrom GGBN's 2018 conference is available as a reference.

23 May 2019 GGBN 2020 Conference May 11-15

It is our pleasure to announce that GGBN 2020, the 4th Conference of the Global Genome Biodiversity Network, will take place in Shenzhen China, May 11-15, hosted by the China National GeneBank. We hope that you can join us!

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23 April 2019-Kostrzyca Forest Gene Bank joins GGBN

We are proud to announce that the Kostrzyca Forest Gene Bank has joined GGBN as its first Polish member. The genetic collection comprises 11,525 plant and 52 animal tissues, 8,497 plant and 14 animal DNAs and 20,000-50,000 specimens representing 163 plant and 2 animal species. Samples are stored in cold rooms (-3, -10, -20C), Freezers (-80C) and cryogenic containers (vapors of liquid nitrogen).

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19 April 2019-GGBN-GGI Awards Due May 1

Thinking your genetic collections should be more visible for research? Do you require staff or other resources to make this happen? If so, then apply to the GGBN-GGI 2019 awards program. Deadline for proposals is May 1st. See https://wiki.ggbn.org/ggbn/Global_Genome_Biodiversity_Network-Global_Genome_Initiative_Awards_Program

12 April 2019-GGBN Focus Group Meeting, Washington DC

GGBN members met this week at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington DC to 1) discuss GGBN's dues model and possible changes based on needs of the network and 2) to develop a marketing strategy to facilitate better communication with the research and collections communities. Member participants attended from Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Ecuador, Georgia, Germany, United Kingdom, United States. A report will be developed over the next few weeks and distributed to the Executive Committee and the 88 members of the General Assembly for review and comment this summer.

Thanks to everyone who participated this week!

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02 April 2019-GGBN March 2019 Newsletter Published

GGBN's March 2019 Newsletter is now available for your reading pleasure.

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18 March 2019-Botanical Research Institute of Texas joins GGBN

We are proud to announce that the Botanical Research Institute of Texas has joined GGBN as its 22nd United States member. BRIT's biorepository opened in January of 2019 and will help lead the Global Genome Initiative Gardens collecting program, which partners with arboreta, botanic gardens, and greenhouses worldwide to preserve the incredible diversity contained within these living collections.

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01 March 2019-National Biodiversity Cryobank of Canada, Canadian Museum of Nature joins GGBN

We are proud to announce that the National Biodiversity Cryobank of Canada, Canadian Museum of Nature, has joined GGBN as its 3rd Canadian member. The genetic collection includes 4,500 DNA and 30,000 tissue samples representing microorganisms, plants, vertebrates, terrestrial invertebrates and marine invertebrates.

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06 February 2019-GGBN-GGI Awards Program 2019 Call for Proposals

We are happy to announce the call for proposals for the GGBN-GGI 2019 Awards Program. The program provides funding for projects that support the discoverability of new genetic collections through the Global Genome Biodiversity Network's Data Portal. The next submission deadline for proposals will be May 1 2019. The proposal review committee will consider requests for up to 30,000 USD with clearly articulated budget justifications. For more information on the GGBN-GGI awards program, including information on how to apply, please visit the Global Genome Biodiversity Network-Global Genome Initiative Awards Program Page.

22 January 2019-Dr. Cecilia Koo Botanic Conservation Center joins GGBN

We are proud to announce that the Dr. Cecilia Koo Botanic Conservation Center has joined GGBN. The genetic collection includes 16,890 tissues and 3,609 DNAs of plants.

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News Archive

Older news can be found in the GGBN News Archive.